Chapter 2

1.)​ The primary function of muscles is to contract and extend to provide movement
2.)​ Supporting posture and stability, and protecting the body/stabilizing joints.
3.)​ Having muscle tone and optimal muscle balance is important to the dancer so that they
can maintain a good muscle strength and will allow better and more stable movement,
and allow for the muscle to maintain a balance of tension and relaxation
4.)​ Bouncing is not effective as a stretch because it may cause the muscles to tense up
5.)​ Imagery and visualization allows the dancer to get out of their head by being in their
head. Imagining different ways to complete motions, such as walking on a cloud, or
swimming through water, can influence how we move our bodies

Chapter 3

1.)​
2.)​ The Upper Cervical section of the spine
3.)​ The spinous process
4.)​ The thoracic spine is the part that is the least flexible. It does make contributions to our
movement, as it provides us with stability, like in the arabesque position when the back is
bent forward to moderate the rest of the back.
5.)​ A traditional lengthening of the spine allows for bending and stretching in the back and
upper body that is required for many ballet movements. The combination of the muscles
and spine stabilize, and curve the body naturally.
6.)​ The T1-3 Vertebrae not being able to bend very much, and T4-7 not being able to rotate
very much

Chapter 4
1.)​ Your hip joints are located just below your hip bones. You can feel the space underneath
2.)​ The shape of the pelvis varies based on the person, but is ultimately shaped like a heart.
3.)​ Moving and adjusting the pelvis will move and lengthen the upper part of your body,
while the pelvic floor stabilizes the lower part of your body
4.)​ The 2 main muscle groups that keep the pelvis in place are the glute muscles and core
muscles
5.)​ The Thoracic spine is the part of the spine that works the hardest in an arabesque
because it is the part that has to bends the most from its original position. and stabilize
the body.
Chapter 5
1.)​ The factors that determine turnout are
a.)​ Shape of the femoral neck
b.)​ The orientation of the hip socket
c.)​ Elasticity of the hip ligament
d.)​ The flexibility of the muscles
2.)​ Maintaining a turn out is important in dance and for the dancer because it opens up the
body and allows for movement in any direction while remaining aesthetically pleasing.
3.)​ Turnout is not solely in the hips, but also depends on the entire muscle groups of the
legs
4.)​ Fifth position is important in many ways including
a.)​ Being a base position for ballet
b.)​ Providing a smaller point of weight for the dancer improving balance
c.)​ Adding extra turnout to a plie
5.)​ The adductors, the gracilis and sartorius, the quadriceps, and the hamstrings are the
main muscles that help in turnout
6.)​ Some of the muscle groups that if tight will prevent turnout are located at the top of the
leg, including the quads and the hamstrings

Chapter 6
1.)​ The muscle that is the primary cause of breathing is the diaphragm
2.)​ The alignment of the rib cage and pelvis region is important as is provides stability to the
static positions of the body that dancers must perform.
3.)​ The shoulder joint is at the very top of your arm, and the very end of the back
4.)​ The shoulder girdle is so mobile because it is the only bony connection where the head
is completely mobile. Most of the shoulder is supported by muscles and ligaments
5.)​ The part of the body that most shows fear and anxiety is the shoulders and shoulder
joints

Chapter 7
1.)​ The main muscle that supports the knee is the quadriceps. The two main ways that it
helps support the knee is the extension of the knee, allowing the knee to lengthen and
extend, while the other function is to bend the knee and take in shock. In this case it is
important with jumps in preventing knee injuries
2.)​ Turnout increases in plie because when the knee bends, there is a rotation in that
section of the leg, and the relaxation of certain ligaments. This allows for a slightly more
extended turnout.
3.)​ Too much turnout abuses the knees by causing them to bend in odd directions and lock,
which will cause injury
4.)​ Some of the main common faults that lead to the injury of the knee really involve
improper foot placement and stability from the legs. The improper placement of the foot
or the improper distribution of weight in the leg can lead to too much pressure of the
knee.
Chapter 8
1.)​ The medial longitudinal arch and the transverse tarsal arch are the two main
arches of the foot
2.)​There are four different kinds of movements in the ankle joint, each
corresponding to the different directions the ankle can move
3.)​The muscles that stretch the foot and point the toes are located in the lower half
of the leg, like the calf and the tibialis.
4.)​The jobs of the feet and their muscles are to strengthen, stabilize, propel us,
absorb shock, and help the body perceive the world around us.
5.)​Some traditional ballet exercises that strengthen the muscles in with the foot are
battement tendus, and the multiple exercises involved with point work, like calf
raises and point to demi pointe.